Western Imperialism in the Middle East 1914-1958

Abstract

The term ‘Fertile Crescent’ is commonly used to refer to the group of territories extending around the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates. In this book, it is assumed to consist of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine. Much has been written on the history of these countries, which originated from the Ottoman Empire after 1918 and became Mandates under the League of Nations. This book provides a comparative overview of how Britain and France came to rule these five portions of the Ottoman empire during 1914-1958 and how they dealt with them. It examines contrasting imperial techniques for controlling these temporary dependencies, as well as the interaction between western imperialism in its final phase and the power of nascent Arab nationalism. Essentially, these European powers converted what had been relatively quiescent provinces of the Ottoman empire into some of the least stable and internationally explosive states in the world. This was certainly not the intention of the mandatory powers, and the reasons for this outcome are specific to each of the five territories. This book investigates why it happened.

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“…97 While it was not the only catalyst, this served to grow feelings of discontent among Syrians with regard to French rule over the region. 98 Additionally, the High Commission would, from time to time, prevent Syria from importing grain under the pretext that a given year's harvest was insufficient; the decrease in grain prices of grain would then allow French agents to buy grain for cheap. 99 Businesses in Syria also suffered from not being able to compete with foreign businesses, and this was felt strongest when France increased its demand for European goods in Syria by implementing low customs duties on the European goods.…”

The Troubles in Syria: Spawned by French Divide and Rule

“…An official Syrian government was immediately set up in Damascus. 7 The convocation of the Syrian Congress in Damascus and the coronation of Faysal began a new phase in the deteriorating relations between France and the king. Millerand declared the congressional resolution to be "null and void" and refused to recognize Faysal as king of Syria.…”

Kapitel 6. Internationale Arbeitsteilung

“…Frankreich und die USA hatten Doppelwährungen, in denen sowohl Gold als auch Silber als Währungsreserven dienten. 29 Russland, das nach der Revolution vom Oktober 1917 einen schwierigen Weg zu einer sozialistischen Wirtschaft einschlug, zog sich weitgehend aus der internationalen Arbeitsteilung zurück. Da das Wertverhältnis zwischen Gold und Silber keine großen Schwankungen aufwies, waren die internationalen Währungsparitäten relativ stabil.…”